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Three members of Congress from Texas plan to introduce the "Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act" which will help victims of the 2009 shooting rampage at the Texas Army post. (Published Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013)

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and two Texas congressmen say they will push for legislation to reclassify the Fort Hood shooting as an act of terror.

Victims and relatives of the 13 killed in the 2009 rampage have protested that the federal government has categorized the shooting as workplace violence. They say that decision deprives them of injury benefits they deserve.

"This administration's workplace violence designation clearly favors political correctness over truth and justice. Nobody in America thinks this was workplace violence. They know and they knew it was a terrorist attack," said Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX).

The Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act is similar to the honors and benefits given to the victims of the September 11 attacks.

All of the victims would be eligible for the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart award, as well as maximum coverage under the service member's group life insurance, tax breaks for death in a combat zone, and other combat-related pay.

The announcement this week comes after a military jury sentenced Maj. Nidal Hasan to death. Hasan has claimed he was a soldier "who switched sides" on behalf of his Islamic beliefs.

"Without them, we don't have a voice, so we just hope that it's carried out this time, and we can come to a great end, so we can get the help and all the benefits that we so deserve," said Fort Hood shooting victim Chris Royal.

Cornyn says the attack showed that terrorists can attack at home as well as abroad.